Florida bomb squad demonstrates damage fireworks can inflict using watermelon

A Florida police bomb squad used explosives on various household items to educate the public about fireworks dangers ahead of July Fourth.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Bomb Squad demonstrated the potential harm fireworks can inflict on the human body, using explosives similar to an M-80 on a paint can, cantaloupe, and watermelon.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and Broward Health released a video of the demonstration to educate the community about safety and address common fireworks-related injuries.

“The Fourth of July is one of the busiest times of year for our emergency departments,” said Dr. Robert Chisholm, an emergency physician at Broward Health. “We typically see an increase in visits due to fireworks and sparkler injuries, dehydration and heat-related illnesses, food poisoning, severe sunburns, and alcohol-related accidents.”

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urged caution last week, reporting 11 fireworks-related deaths and an estimated 14,700 injuries last year. Most deaths involved misuse or device malfunctions.

According to the CPSC, deaths increased 38% in 2024 compared to the previous year, while injuries spiked 52% during the same period.

Sparklers accounted for about 1,700 emergency room visits in 2024, the CPSC noted.